The Impact of Anxiety on Mental Health

In this episode of the Strength Beyond Struggle podcast, host Michele Nelson speaks with Jayden De La Rosa about her personal journey with anxiety and mental health challenges. Jayden shares her experiences with crippling anxiety, suicide ideation, and the impact of her diabetes diagnosis on her mental health. The conversation explores the importance of advocacy, the role of mental health facilities, and the power of connection and encouragement in overcoming struggles. Jayden’s story serves as a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges, emphasizing the need for understanding and support in mental health.

Mental health, anxiety, suicide ideation, advocacy, NAMI, personal stories, support, resilience, youth mental health, coping strategies

Jayden is not alone in their struggle.

Anxiety can threaten your life. Community offers hope.

Jayden spoke for more than 40 million adults – and for about a third of American teenagers. That’s because she had to find a way to live with crippling anxiety –the most common mental health challenge in the nation. We’re still trying to figure out what causes normal stress, fear, and vigilance to spin out of control. But for about 20% of US adults and 32% of teens – the anxiety can become disabling. And they suffer a higher risk of suicide, according to the National Institutes of Health. One recent National Health Survey concluded that 44% of the US population say they suffer from anxiety. But another 13% who reported all the symptoms – don’t think they’re anxious. Many people with an anxiety disorder also suffer from bipolar disorder, ADHD, sleep disorders, headaches, substance abuse, eating disorders, and irritable bowel syndrome. So, what causes this debilitating, pervasive, unrealistic fear? Well, genes have something to do with it. Anxiety often runs in families. Turns out, women are much more likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder than men. It’s also linked to childhood trauma, rape, domestic violence, the death of a loved one or exposure to violence. Even a serious or chronic illness can play a role in developing anxiety. You can find summaries of all the research on our website, Strength Beyond Struggle.org. Anxiety that disables looks a lot like normal fear in the brain. That’s useful but can get hijacked – by trauma, PTSD, child abuse – or even diabetes or depression. It wears a grove in your brain. Pretty soon, you can’t stop being afraid – even when it makes no sense. Fortunately, there are options. Anti-anxiety drugs – or anti depressants and therapy – work for many people. You just must want to change so you can live at peace in your own brain.

Research on the Anxiety on Mental Health

Source : Anxiety and Depression Association of America:

40 million adults (19% of US population) suffer from an anxiety disorder
People with an anxiety disorder are four times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders.
Risk factors include genetics, brain chemistry, personality and life events
Half of those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder also suffer from depression.
Panic disorder affects 6 million adults and is twice as likely among women.
Social Anxiety Disorder affects 15 million adults (7%) and more than a third of those suffer symptoms for a decade before seeking help.
Social phobias affect 19 million adults (9%) with women twice as likely to be affected. Obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder and closely related – along with depression.
Stress is universal – but is a trigger for anxiety disorders.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder affects 2.5 million adults, with women three times more likely to develop OCD. One third experience the first symptoms in childhood.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder affects 7.7 million adults, with women five times more likely than men. Rape is the most common trigger, accounting for 65% of cases in men and 45% of cases in women. Child sexual abuse is also a major predictor of PTSD.
Anxiety disorders often occur with other diagnosis, including bipolar, ADHD, body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorder, Fibromyalgia, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, stress and substance abuse.
Anxiety disorders affect 32% of teens.

The Impact of Anxiety on Mental Health Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jayden’s Journey

02:51The Impact of Anxiety on Life

05:33Turning Points and Moments of Crisis

12:19Navigating Mental Health Facilities

16:35Finding Connection and Support

19:51Advocacy and Empowerment Through Storytelling

22:16The Power of Connection and Hope

26:26Understanding Anxiety: A Widespread Challenge

29:26The Complexity of Anxiety Disorders

31:23The Impact of Trauma and Genetics on Anxiety

31:50Embracing Uniqueness and Individuality